The World of Cross Stitching - UK (2020-01)

34 The World of Cross Stitching http://www.cross-stitching.com

Your Questions Answered

In the spotlight

ZEENA MOOLLA, CROSS STITCH GOLD

New challenges

Q

Where can I find bigger charts?

I like doing complex patterns every

once in a while but there aren’t always that

many in WOXS, as much as I love it!

Harriet Joiner, via Facebook

A

Zeena says: That’s great to hear

you’re looking to challenge yourself,

Harriet. Taking on more complex and larger

patterns is a great way to get really stuck

into a design. WOXS does try to cover as

many different ability levels as possible

throughout its range of projects each issue,

but if you’re looking for a larger selection

of more advanced patterns, then give its

Lobster love

Q

I’m desperately looking for a small chart of a lobster!

Can you help me please?

Kay Hawkins, via Facebook

A

Hannah: How about this ‘Lobster Mini Cross Stitch Kit’

from Ellbie Co.*, Kay? Costing £13.85, you’ll receive a 3in

high-quality wooden embroidery hoop, 14-count aida, DMC

thread, needle, felt to back your hoop and full colour photo

instructions, which you can store in the handy presentation

box that it comes in. The kits are designed and handmade in

the UK, with the added bonus of fully recyclable packaging.

This cute little fellow won’t take long to stitch, either, as he’s

made up of whole cross stitches only. We hope you like him!

Back it up

Q

I’ve just started a cushion cover kit but have never sewn

anything with a backing before. It feels a bit awkward. Just

wondering if you have any tips?

Sarah Louise Rogers, via Facebook

A

Heather: Stitching inside a pocket is tricky, Sarah – I would

advise unpicking one, or both, side seams on the cushion

cover to allow you to get your hand inside more easily. This also

allows you to mount the fabric in a hoop or on a frame too,

which will help to neaten the look of your stitches and ensure

even tension. Then, when you’re finished stitching, simply turn it

inside out and resew up the seams (either on a sewing machine

or by hand) before turning back out and pressing.

sister magazine

Cross Stitch Gold

a try. With nine issues a year,

it’s packed with large stitching

projects, plus helpful expert

advice and reviews aimed at

more advanced stitchers like

yourself. There’s also a smaller

card or tag set in every issue;

perfect if you’re looking for a

slightly smaller and quicker finish.

It’s great value at just £5.99 per

issue, or check out our great

subscription offers at

http://www.buysubscriptions.com

New challenges

Cross Stitch Gold is full of larger

designs to stretch stitchers’ skills

Q

I’m about to start my

next stitching project of

lilacs for my mum. The pattern

said I could use 25-count,

28-count or 32-count fabric

but I’ve never worked anything

that small. I’ve been practising

but having a really hard time.

The only reason I can’t use my

normal 14-count is because of

all the fractionals. Any advice?

Lena Bookin,

via Facebook

A

Fiona: It sounds like

you’re doing the right

thing by practising on the

evenweave if there’s lots of

fractional stitches, although if

you’re struggling I would

suggest starting out with

25-count, as this will have the

biggest weave of the three

listed on your pattern.

Although there’s not an exact

aida equivalent to this, it

would essentially be the same

as working with 12.5-count

aida, so even bigger than the

14-count you’re used to. This

is because evenweave is

worked over two strands of

the fabric, so any count is

halved to find the aida-

equivalent size. Practice makes

perfect in this case, and this

illustration may be useful too.

Small is beautiful

Small is beautiful

If you’re new to evenweave,

this helpful diagram shows

you how to place a stitch

Lobster love

Kay is on the look out for a

little crustacean to stitch